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Sunday, 10 May 2015

The Karithode waterfalls in the tenth ward of Udumbanchola gram panchayat in Idukki district mesmerises visitors. The falls, less steep when compared to other waterfalls, have three layers which are stretched over an area of more than 350 feet. The top of the falls can be reached easily.

It is a hidden treasure for nature lovers who want to spend time away from the routine life. The area may not offer the best facilities; but there are many regular visitors who choose the spot for its offbeat charm. The stream is in full strength, owing to the monsoon, and local people say that the fall is near full strength for almost seven months. Even during the summer, people visit the place to bathe in the falls.

The Parathode river's name is being changed to Karithode falls, whose beauty lies in its three-layer flow.

Karithode water fall near Nedumbkandam in Idukki district:

This water fall is 13 km from Nedumkandam on the Munnar-Thekkady route. Considering its tourism potential, the Nedumkandam gram panchayat had constructed a 10-km-road, though the rest of it is in a not motorable. This does not stop the trekkers who visit the falls.

With the completion of the construction work of the Mavady-Perinchamkutty road, the falls will become a potential tourism spot, says Unni, a local resident.

He said that the residents in the area have submitted a proposal to the panchayat to make a motorable road upto the waterfall. The waterfall could be developed as a stop-over for tourists visiting Munnar and Thekkady.

Though other tourism spots are identified for development, Karithode remains a hidden spot that is not mentioned in the long list of lesser known tourism places in the district.

Earlier, there was a proposal to make it a mini hydropower unit. Though 12 acres of land covering the water fall had been acquired for the project and fenced in 2006, no follow-up action was taken. Once it is developed as a hydropower station, it will become inaccessible to visitors and so, the local people want to keep its natural beauty intact.